Supervisors OK Contract for Services for At-Risk Youth

June 20, 2012

The Placer County Board of Supervisors today OK’d a contract for services for at-risk minors and their families. The $560,000 contract will ensure that Koinonia Family Services is able to provide comprehensive services to the targeted clients.

The Probation Department and Procurement Services continue to believe in the value of providing these complex services to at risk minors. The services include:

Short term emergency shelter;

Counseling services for minors and their families; and

Counseling services via a crisis line.

The contract was awarded to Koinonia, as there are no other viable vendors able to provide this comprehensive combination of services within Placer County. Additionally, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has placed a moratorium on the group home license type needed to operate facilities like the Crisis Resolution Center throughout California.

“It is beneficial to the county, and its residents to provide these services. If we can prevent a situation from escalating into a crisis, we can keep youth out of the juvenile detention facility and the juvenile delinquency system,” said County Chief Probation Officer, Marshall Hopper. “In addition to helping the youths and their families, these services prevent the need for Probation, the District Attorney and law enforcement from becoming involved.”

Last year, the Crisis Resolution Center had 104 total intakes, up from 98 in 2010. The 24-hour crisis line received 4,477 calls for help and advice. The Center and the crisis line help deescalate crisis situations in families by providing respite, services and advice. The Probation Department has used shelter and services for runaways and other at-risk minors in our community

Funding for the program is provided through the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act of 2000 (JJCPA) to provide supplemental funding for Placer County to pay for the vendor. No General Fund monies will be used for this contract. Probation receives revenues from the State through JJCPA that will be used to fund the Crisis Resolution Center, and are included in the Department's proposed FY 2013 budget.